Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Section
NEWTON'S THIRD LAW: ACTION AND REACTION
16 practice questions
Practice questions
1–10 of 16
Question 1
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A man stands on the ground and pulls a rope that is attached to a heavy box. According to Newton's third law, what force acts on the man while he is pulling the rope? State both the direction and the object applying the force.
Question 2
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →When a rubber ball bounces against a hard wall, explain, using Newton’s third law, why the ball bounces back.
Question 3
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Two ice skaters push against each other and move apart on a frozen lake. Using Newton’s third law, state how the forces on each skater compare. State the direction of each force.
Question 4
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →When a fish swims by pushing water backwards with its fins, it moves forward. Use Newton's third law to explain why the fish moves forward.
Question 5
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A cat jumps down from a chair to the floor. According to Newton’s third law, what does the floor do to the cat as it lands?
Question 6
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A student uses a broom to push a box across the floor. Use Newton's third law to explain what happens to the broom and the box as the broom applies a force.
Question 7
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which of the following best describes Newton's third law?
- A.For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
- B.An object remains at rest unless acted on by a resultant force.
- C.The larger the mass, the larger the force needed to accelerate it.
- D.The total momentum of a system is conserved.
Question 8
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A student stands on a skateboard in a stationary position. She pushes against a wall with her hands and starts moving backwards.
(a)[2 marks]Explain, using Newton's third law, why the student moves backwards when she pushes against the wall.
Question 9
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A book rests on a table. The weight of the book is 7 N.
(a)[2 marks]Identify the action force and the reaction force acting on the book and table.
(b)[1 mark]State the direction of each force.
Question 10
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →When a swimmer pushes water backwards with her hands while swimming, she moves forwards.
(a)[3 marks]Explain, using Newton's third law, how the swimmer is able to move forward through the water. Include a clear identification of the pairs of forces involved.